Before the early Canarians-- the Guanches--
entered the legends as direct descendants of the mythical people
of Atlantis (whose lost civilization still lies hidden in mystery),
an unusual tourist was already visiting us year after year: the
great blue marlin of the Atlantic (Makaira Nigricans).
It huddled close to our shores in search of the
beauty of the coasts, the pleasant temperatures of the water, and
the exuberance of the marine ecosystem, thriving on the refreshing
action of the trade winds. The blue marlin, the 'picudo' (pointed
one) as it is commonly known in the Canaries, indisputable king
of sport fishing has, since then, made its home in our waters.
The great blue marlin
The Canary Islands, privileged enclave of the Atlantic
archipelago that constitutes the geographic zone known as Macronesia,
has been, since ancient times and by virtue of the trade winds,
an obligatory port for sailors from all over the world. From the
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Saracens, and Norman conquerors at
the service of Castile, to discoverers of new worlds-- like Christopher
Columbus--, French privateers, the English, the Dutch; admirals
and cabin boys, they all related in their chronicles and throughout
the taverns of the old and new continents, the singular beauty of
the 'Garden of Hesperides'. These tourists of the past marked the
routes that at the dawn of this new century, make the Canaries a
nautical destination of leisure and relaxation for hundreds of thousands
of travellers. Discover them...
The strategic location of the archipelago, just
off the coast of Africa, shares the rich banks of Canarian-Saharan
fishing, and makes the Canaries one of the most interesting places
on the planet to practise the sport of deep-sea fishing. Due to
the biannual tuna migrations between the northern and southern hemispheres
- in the spring and autumn - our waters are an exceptional gathering
point that makes the fishing of this precious species possible for
almost the entire year. The great spearfish and marlins, like expert
marine hunters, follow the schools of tuna to their favourite territories:
the moderate waters of the Islands.
The respect the Canarian has for his ecosystem
has always been primordial, as much on land as in the sea. In fact,
the majority of National Parks in Spain are to be found in the Canaries.
On our coasts, year after year, countless blue flags wave, certified
by the EC. The Canary Islands, a privileged place in the world,
declared part of the Heritage of Humanity and a Biosphere Reserve,
is conscious that the resources of the earth are limited. It is
our desire to share this philosophy with all the sport fishermen
who come to visit us.
Special thanks to The Consejería de Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias
